AKWhttps://www.akw-ltd.co.uk
Wet Rooms, Walk In Showers, Accessible Kitchens & Electric ShowersFri, 16 Feb 2018 14:03:08 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.3Oasis Community Hub, Warndon, Worcester January 2018https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/blog/oasis-community-hub-warndon-worcester-january-2018/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 14:13:12 +0000https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/?p=13467What do you get if you combine a vacant school caretaker’s bungalow, a housing association, generous local companies and some incredibly determined individuals intent on making a difference? You get Worcestershire’s version of ‘DIY SOS’ but without the BBC or the lovely Nick Knowles! In 2017 Fortis Living, the driving force behind this project, and …

]]>What do you get if you combine a vacant school caretaker’s bungalow, a housing association, generous local companies and some incredibly determined individuals intent on making a difference? You get Worcestershire’s version of ‘DIY SOS’ but without the BBC or the lovely Nick Knowles!

In 2017 Fortis Living, the driving force behind this project, and Oasis Academy, the primary school with the vacant property had an ambition to turn this bungalow into a community hub for everyone. They wanted to provide a space which would provide advice services, toddler mornings and education sessions. In addition, rooms would be available for other local community groups and businesses to hire.

Now in 2018 the project is completed and Fortis Living and the Oasis Academy now have a fantastic ‘Hub’ on the site of the former caretakers bungalow.

The centre was opened on 24th January 2018 at a special event for the local community, with approximately eighty people in attendance including people from Fortis, academy parents, local councillors and more. Cutting the ribbon was The Mayor of Worcester, Steve Mackay accompanied by Emily Hobson, Principal of Oasis Academy.

Adam Rudge, Operations Manager at Fortis Living said, “We are absolutely delighted to have been able to work with the school on this fabulous facility. It looks set to have a really positive impact on local residents and, as a project, it has served as a thoroughly rewarding example of people coming together to serve their communities. We are justifiably proud that it has now come to fruition; it is testimony to the hard work and dedication of our staff, suppliers and contractors and we would like to say a very big thank you for everyone involved in making it happen.”

Emily Hobson, Principal of Oasis Academy Warndon said, “Today is a fantastic celebration! We feel incredibly lucky to have been Fortis’ focus for Communities Week and would like to say a big thank you to Fortis Living and all of their partners who have so generously facilitated our new Hub.

The Oasis Hub vision is so much further ahead as a result. This means we can work with the other two hubs in our region and the Oasis Charity nationally, to fulfil the Oasis Warndon vision and bring exceptional support services and opportunities crucial to this community. We cannot wait to see the Hub busy with people.”

The majority of the work was carried out within Fortis Living’s annual Community Week in late September. This is a fantastic project where Fortis Living staff get involved in a host of community improving projects including garden tidy-ups, room makeovers, tea and chat for socially isolated residents, a tea dance, an estate touring pop-up shop. Staff have also done fundraising and event rowed the River Severn in the past. A trying inspiring effort by everyone.

When asked if AKW would be part of the project we agreed without hesitation, donating the fully accessible sanitaryware. Kyle Knights, one of AKW’s Regional Sales Directors said, “we had no hesitation in getting involved with this project which is right on our doorstep in Worcestershire. As with other similar projects AKW regularly get involved with, such as the ‘real’ BBC DIY SOS, we get an immense sense of pride and satisfaction from seeing the positive outcome that can be achieved by bringing the community together for projects like these. We wish the Hub every success for the future.”

]]>Increase Your Profit Margins With AKW Wet Roomshttps://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/blog/wet-rooms/
Mon, 05 Feb 2018 11:47:22 +0000https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/?p=13415It’s always important to look at your bottom line, where you can make a strong margin without compromising on quality. At AKW we have made absolutely no compromise of quality in our wet room products, but at the same time we have been able to offer truly competitive pricing, speedy delivery, excellent lifetime guarantees and …

]]>It’s always important to look at your bottom line, where you can make a strong margin without compromising on quality. At AKW we have made absolutely no compromise of quality in our wet room products, but at the same time we have been able to offer truly competitive pricing, speedy delivery, excellent lifetime guarantees and last but not least, unrivalled support from us on all our wet rooms and wet room products.

Leakproof Guarantees

Here at AKW we like to design and test our products, within our UK lab facilities, to ensure your client will be happy with the supreme quality and you won’t be getting any calls back because of leaks. We are so confident in our quality that we offer leakproof guarantees, so you know you’re always covered!

Fit & Forget Installation

Our no-hassle easy-fit products are backed by an amazing UK based technical support team, many of which are experienced installation contractors and ex-plumbers, who will ensure you only have to do that particular job once, to perfection.

The Widest Range of Solutions & Sizes

Our range of wet rooms and wet room products is extensive, because we understand that requirements can vary dramatically between clients and individuals. This also helps you as the installer, making your life easier to create the perfect wet room for your client, no matter their budget or bathroom size.

We’re with you through the entire installation process

If you’re not sure on any part of the wet room installation process or just want to show your clients how things work, then why not view our video tutorials? They are full of different tips and useful information to help you through the process of installing.

Contact your local dealer for our competitive rates!

There are hundreds of branches around the country with AKW Wet Room products in stock and ready to be collected. We’re pretty much positive that there’s one in a location that is convenient for you. Click below to find your nearest dealer.

Coming soon…

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for our new guide: The definitive guide on how to install a wet room. It is full of easy tips and clear information on how to install our wet rooms and all of the realted products. We like to be there for support every step of the way and we try to make installation as quick and easy as possible. For this reason, we have decided that this latest guide will be made available for free to download from our brochures and guides section of our site. We’ll let you know when it’s available…

]]>Blue Badge changes to benefit those with Hidden Disabilitieshttps://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/blog/blue-badge-changes-benefit-hidden-disabilities/
Wed, 31 Jan 2018 16:08:45 +0000https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/?p=13402Here at AKW we understand that not all disabilities are visible from the outside. A disability is classed as a physical or mental condition that can affect a persons movement, senses, or activities. Due to the challenge that some disabilities can present in getting to work, or even in what are simple day to day …

]]>Here at AKW we understand that not all disabilities are visible from the outside. A disability is classed as a physical or mental condition that can affect a persons movement, senses, or activities. Due to the challenge that some disabilities can present in getting to work, or even in what are simple day to day tasks such as popping to the shops, people with more obviously visible disabilities are presented with blue badges, where they can get easy access parking at shopping centres or any public space with a car parking. This is usually displayed in the front windscreen of the vehicle, so it is readily visible for parking wardens to see that person has he right to be parked in that space. Previously, people with “hidden” disabilities were not always eligible for a blue badge, but this is changing to benefit anybody with a disability visible or hidden.

This means that previously those with Autism, Aspergers, Dementia and a range of other non-visible disabilities haven’t always had access to accessible parking which could make life easier. Easier to get out and about, socialise and access shops, or work. At AKW we are delighted that the country is taking a more accepting view to the needs of those with hidden disabilities, promoting inclusivity, accessibility and independence. We are not only proud that the country is taking this more seriously, but we believe it benefits everybody in the long-term too.

3 out of 4 holders of a blue badge have previously stated that they would socialize less without it, they would be reluctant to go shopping and even fear for their accessibility at work. Is this contributing to why currently a lot of people living with Autism or Dementia aren’t getting out and aren’t socializing and aren’t easily guaranteed employment… all because previously they didn’t qualify for the blue badge? These new rules are coming into action soon and a place to shop, a place to work and a place to socialise safely and comfortably is just around the corner – for everyone!

]]>How Twitter helps those with Visual Impairments be more socialhttps://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/blog/twitter-helps-visual-impairments-social/
Wed, 17 Jan 2018 15:58:41 +0000https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/?p=12862We’re always doing our research into independence and accessibility. We like to take this research and implement it into our products so that they are easy to use, by as many differently abled people as possible. This is why we like to recognise when other companies in today’s world make their products more accessible as …

]]>We’re always doing our research into independence and accessibility. We like to take this research and implement it into our products so that they are easy to use, by as many differently abled people as possible. This is why we like to recognise when other companies in today’s world make their products more accessible as it’s a philosophy we share. Twitter is one of those organisations that has taken a step forward, in particular for those with visual impairments. They have done this by combining accessible features with a popular, robust platform and also making leaps in the world of artificial intelligence (A.I). Currently, Twitter is used by millions of people worldwide. It is a place where people share what they are doing with their lives and also images that they take from around the world, or even in just their regular everyday life.

In an attempt to get more people who live with disabilities more integrated and involved with their local and online communities, more and more companies are making their apps, or products accessible. Twitter has now used one of the latest technologies in A.I that can essentially read pictures, describing them out loud to somebody who lives with a visual impairment and may not be able to see the screen. Now, of course A.I doesn’t have eyes, so how can it tell someone what is in the picture? Well, it recognises certain shapes, number of pixels in a certain area and colour to define certain objects, as well as inputted meta data.

This technology has been a part of Twitter and most of the major social networks for a little while now, but using this feature to do more than just read our info for advertising purposes is a refreshing change! This great idea will broaden Twitter’s user database to include more people with vision restricting conditions and allow a group of people in society to be included in something that is social at its very essence. Enabling them to have their views and opinions heard and they can finally join the conversation.

We’d like to say a big well done to Twitter for their efforts on this feature. What we try to do with our bathroom and kitchen products is make them more accessible for all. Our guides for designing bathrooms and kitchens for those with visual impairments are living testament to that research that we invest in our products so it’s always great to see other companies doing the same with their products. Nice one, Twitter – we love seeing you make waves in the world of accessibility and independence.

Sadly, these functions are not turned on as default, so whether you’re a VI twitter user or not, we urge you to take the following steps so more and more users can join in.

If you’re looking to find out how you turn on image descriptions for your twitter, you can follow the below steps:

Open the Twitter App

Open the sidebar (swipe right or click your profile pic)

Tap Settings and Privacy

Tap on Accessibility

Switch on Compose Image Descriptions

If you want to manually add descriptions to your pictures when you tweet, so VI tweeters can join the conversation, follow these steps:

Compose a tweet

Tap Add Image

Tap Add a Description at the bottom left of your image you have selected

Type in your description

Tap Apply

]]>The OT Show 2017https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/blog/ot-show-2017/
Fri, 01 Dec 2017 11:27:27 +0000https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/?p=12763On the 22nd and 23rd of November, AKW were again the main show sponsors of the 2017 OT Show at Birmingham’s NEC. Each year, we aim to meet with super Occupational Therapists (OT) from all corners of the UK to help them discover the best solutions for their clients’ care. As with previous years, the …

]]>On the 22nd and 23rd of November, AKW were again the main show sponsors of the 2017 OT Show at Birmingham’s NEC. Each year, we aim to meet with super Occupational Therapists (OT) from all corners of the UK to help them discover the best solutions for their clients’ care.

As with previous years, the 2017 show was a huge success! We showed people first-hand how our products work to best create accessibility and independence for those who need it most.

We took a huge collection of Super OT t-shirts (always a hit with our guests) and stand J60 has never been so busy! It was also lovely to see returning guests who attended the show last year, many of which were even wearing their Super OT t-shirts.

Adam Ferry’s Talk in The Keynote Theatre

Each year, our friend and Super OT Adam Ferry attends The OT Show to discuss different aspects of accessibility. Last year he discussed Visual Impairments and what we can do to help eliminate danger, as well as increase accessibility and independence for those living with such an impairment. This year, the title of Adam’s talk was, “Inclusive Bathroom Design: What Does Accessibility Mean to You?” During the presentation, he covered many important features that can be implemented into a bathroom to make it inclusive. Those who attended the talk discovered new tips and tricks to use at work and help others be more independent. Adam also enjoyed a live Q&A on our stand to discuss ideas and techniques in more detail with those who took a keen interest.

Stand J60

Our stand remained busy throughout the entire exhibition with guests talking to our team about our range of products on show. We discussed Adapted Bathrooms and Kitchens, featuring our famous iCare Shower. This year we also had the Geberit Team join us to discuss wash and dry toileting with OTs.

We met new Super OTs, aspiring Super OTs, and returning Super OTs from previous years. Each year we are reminded why it is so important to incorporate accessibility and independence into the lives of people who need it most. We also got an abundance of great ideas for new innovations from Super OTs, so watch this space!

If you would like to find out more about the products we had on show throughout the exhibition and how they could help someone you know, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us. Alternatively, you can download your FREE brochures here.

#SuperOT Social Media

Visitors to our stand stood out throughout the exhibition whilst wearing their Super OT t-shirts and taking selfies in our Selfie Station. We were even mentioned in a lovely Tweet from an OT who could not make it to the exhibition this year. Luckily, her fantastic students did attend and managed to bag her a Super OT t-shirt!

Make sure you follow @AKWcares on Twitter and Facebook to take a peek at our pictures from the show. Feel free to tag yourselves or send us any images of you in your Super OT t-shirts!

The Company

NKS Contracts Limited was established in 1992 and now directly employs over 100 local staff and has an annual turnover in excess of £8 million. Following continued and sustained growth, the company now operates from two regional offices. The majority of their work is undertaken with housing associations and local councils under long-term framework and partnership agreements. They specialise in…

Kitchen and bathroom modernisation programmes

Disabled adaptations

Refurbishment works

Works in sheltered housing schemes

Extensions and alterations

Void modernisations

Plumbing and heating

Electrical works and testing

Flooring

The Challenge:

As the borough council in question had experienced issues with their previous shower choice, they were sceptical about investing in more innovative technology.
Thankfully though, NKS Contracts were able to assure the council about the many features of the AKW electric shower they had chosen such as ease of installation, safety features, and high-end aesthetic qualities.

The Solution:

Having accepted this job and reviewed the many shower units available on the market, NKS Contracts opted to install the AKW iCare shower. iCare is the world’s first Bluetooth ® Smart electric shower. With the ability to be activated via wireless remote control or iPhone app, it’s packed with market-leading features and technical innovations.
It has unrivalled levels of control, ease-of-use and quick, easy installation. The retro-fit footprint covers most manufacturers’ models, so you can use existing tiling, wiring and pipework. Eight electrical /eight water entry points and left or right hand wiring provide ultimate fitting flexibility.

The Results:

Tenants have been quick to report their happiness with the showers and their ease of use

The NKS Contracts installers have found the fitting quick and easy, meaning the installation process is more streamlined

The council are much happier with the new shower units as they provide safety and comfort for tenants and the stylish design means they will not need to be updated for many years to come

Key Product Used:

“AKW’s iCare shower units have proven quick and easy to install which has been a great help across the multi-property project. They work brilliantly for retro-fit, so we could save budget and time on re-tiling and pipework. The tenants have been delighted with the ease of use and aesthetics of the shower too“

With such widespread competition in the shower marketplace, contractors and installers have a variety of options to consider. However, NKS Contracts were always aware that with multiple properties to work on, they needed a shower that not only looked good and included innovative features, it also needed to be fitted quickly and efficiently. So, given the iCare’s multiple water entry points, NKS Contracts opted to use this solution exclusively.

]]>AKW products create a functional new home for Rozinahttps://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/case-studies/akw-products-create-functional-new-home-rozina/
Tue, 14 Nov 2017 14:46:11 +0000https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/?p=12643The post AKW products create a functional new home for Rozina appeared first on AKW.
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After being in the Dean Neurological Unit for two and a half years, Rozina’s care team were having difficulty finding her a suitable home in the community. Rozina was keen to move into accommodation that would allow her to live independently and autonomously. Although various houses and flats had previously became available, issues regarding wheelchair access made them unsuitable. Due to the amount of specialist equipment Rozina had, it was also important that she had accommodation that was large enough to meet her needs.
According to Kenny, the Occupational Therapist who worked on Rozina’s flat, this is an issue he regularly comes across. “We see this a lot. And, when people are living in accommodation that isn’t big enough for their needs, it’s like they’re living in a storage room rather than a home.” Kenny is an independent occupational therapist who is employed by Gloucester City Homes to provide assessments and recommendation for adaptations and equipment, to enable people to live safely in their own homes.
Together with Kenny and his team, Rozina remained hopeful that a suitable flat would become available that would allow her to live independently. Thankfully, she didn’t have long to wait.

Rozina needed accessible accommodation that would enable her to live independently and pursue her education and career

AKW hydraulic shelves, pull out cupboards, an iCare shower and tuff form trays were installed into her 2-bedroom flat

These solutions, along with the added space and privacy offered by the flat, have improved her quality of life and allowed her to live the way she wants to

The Accommodation

Before Kenny and his team started work on it, Rozina’s flat was in a poor state, but she was able to see the potential.
When the flat came on the market, Rozina immediately saw the potential in it. It had off-street parking, level access, wide doors and doorways. More importantly, with a sitting room, kitchen, two back bedrooms and a bathroom, it had the right amount of space. Rozina could store her large stand aid, swings, wheelchair and other pieces of equipment in one room, and still have enough space to entertain her friends and family when they came over. As Rozina is also studying at the moment, the large flat would allow her to set up a corner desk to work from so she could continue her studies and pursue her career.

Finding a Partner Company

As the flat needed work done to it anyway, Kenny and his team decided to adapt it completely for Rozina’s specialist needs. After researching some local suppliers of accessible equipment, Kenny invited an AKW installer to visit the flat and identify what could be done. The installer explained about the range of advanced showers and kitchen items AKW offer, and the decision was made to work with them for the duration of the adaptation.

We chose AKW due to their adaptability, level of service, and wide range of products. Their support is phenomenal – their showers offer a 3-year warranty if anything did go wrong. We can tell the technician what happened and they’ll know what to bring with them. If they can’t source it, they will have the part ready extremely quickly, which is different to my previous experience of technicians taking 4 or 5 days to fix an issue

The Installation

Within the flat itself, there were a number of areas that needed attention. In the kitchen the biggest issue was shelving – in particular the corner units. As they were, Rozina would not have been able to reach the third shelf. The solution was hydraulic shelves that would bring them down to the countertop level.
Although Rozina can stand for very short periods, she has trouble reaching into high or further away areas. It’s easier for her to have access to items that are lower down, so having this flexibility within the cupboard spaces was extremely important. It also means her care team can access items without having to strain themselves reaching down. The corner cradles slide out and provide access to the entire contents of the triple shelf unit, so a lot more items can be held in there. This means Rozina can get more use out of the space instead of having to keep her kitchen utensils crammed in smaller cupboards. As a keen baker, this was something she was particularly pleased with.

AKW also installed a drop down sink into the kitchen. The installer was able to reverse the sink so that the draining board is on the right rather the left, which meant the taps were closer to Rozina’s kettle, microwave and cooker. This created a small, functional area with the most commonly used kitchen items where she could prepare and cook food for herself and her friends without having to move around the rest of the room.
These additions have made the space a working, functional area for Rozina to cook and bake in – the first she’s ever had.
“I can adjust the sink to the height of whichever wheelchair I am using on a particular day and also allow for the height to be raised for the carers within seconds. The whole thing is amazing – it means I can continue to cook and bake with minimal support from others.”
In the bathroom, AKW installed an iCare shower that allows Rozina to adjust the temperature of the water herself, where previously she was reliant on carers to do that. The bathroom also includes wall boards behind the shower unit, an easy-to-install, long-lasting alternative to tiles.

The Finished Product

Rozina has now lived in her new home for several months and is enjoying settling in and getting into a routine. The renovated flat has solved the problems she was previously facing, and the positive impact it’s had on her life has been significant.
The flat has been transformed into a homely, functional space that enables Rozina to pursue her education, entertain her friends and family, and live the way she wants to. Being able to play an active role in the renovation of her flat meant that Rozina could make decisions based on her own preferences, and the result is a personalised space that perfectly meets her individual needs.
For Kenny, simply being able to help Rozina bought the biggest joy.“I’m just pleased to be part of the team that has put all this together for her and made it happen.“

The Company

Situated in a grade II listed period house in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Lypiatt Lodge is a nursing home that welcomes residents with both longterm and respite needs. The home is situated in a residential area near to Cheltenham town centre, in close proximity to local shops, amenities and bus services. The home accommodates residents in 31 rooms, all of which have en-suite facilities. Residents also have access to ample communal living and dining rooms, and additional bathrooms and toilets throughout. There is a passenger lift large enough to accommodate an individual in a wheelchair together with an escort, and the entire building is wheelchair-accessible through a side gate. Lypiatt Lodge staff are specially trained in the care of older people and the challenges of physical disability, particularly dementia. An active lifestyle is supported and residents are encouraged to participate in daily activity timetables, as well as pursuing hobbies such as gardening.

The Solution

AKW managed the full life-cycle of the bathroom renovations. Starting with a comprehensive survey of all 31 en-suite bathrooms to determine the facilities and products required by residents, and their needs. This was incredibly helpful to Beltaine as it left them free to focus specifically on the design and layout of the bedrooms.

Why AKW?

As Lypiatt Lodge is registered for the specialist care of people living with dementia, they were aware of AKW’s market-leading position and high-quality dementia friendly products. As a result of this existing knowledge, the client specifically requested that Beltaine Designs used AKW bathroom products as part of the renovation.

Successful installation of high-quality bathroom products

Safer environment for care home residents

Client now able to care for residents living with dementia, thanks to AKW’s industry leading dementia friendly installations

Bathrooms now have a contemporary, attractive appearance to match environment of the home

“AKW have been great to work with – their professional survey of the bathrooms made things easy for our designer and contractors and the overall service has been excellent.”

]]>CE marking on Bathroom Productshttps://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/blog/ce-marking-bathroom-products/
Wed, 25 Oct 2017 10:50:05 +0000https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/?p=12602What is it, why is it displayed on products and what is its future after Brexit? Have you ever seen those letters on pretty much everything you buy that has been manufactured and wondered what it means? The letters signify that the product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and …

]]>What is it, why is it displayed on products
and what is its future after Brexit?

Have you ever seen those letters on pretty much everything you buy that has been manufactured and wondered what it means? The letters signify that the product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation known as the so-called ‘Product Directives. The letters themselves, “CE“, are the abbreviation of French phrase “Conformité Européene” which literally means “European Conformity”. The term initially used was “EC Mark” and it was officially replaced by “CE Marking” in the Directive 93/68/EEC in 1993.

So what relevance is this to the our industry in the manufacturing of kitchen and bathroom products?

In January this year the national press carried the story of a one-year-old who was being bathed by her mum when their glass shower screen exploded. It showered the toddler with shards of glass inflicting multiple cuts to her head and body. “It was like someone had fired a gun at the side of us,” said her shocked mother. “There was glass everywhere. Our glass shower screen had spontaneously exploded.” It sounds like a freak accident, but injuries caused by defective bathroom products are all too common. A few years ago a man sustained serious cuts when the toilet he was on tipped over and smashed. That unfortunate incident took place at an international airport but it could just as easily happen in your home. The internet has opened up the market to products in sanitary ware which are not properly regulated and this is putting consumers at risk.

So what can you do to protect yourself and your family from potential danger in the bathroom?

Quite simply, look for the CE mark on the bathroom products you buy. Not all types of products require a CE mark but bathroom accessories, including shower enclosures, shower trays, glass and plastic shower screens, baths and ceramic ware such as toilets, basins and bidets, fall under the category of Construction Materials and must comply. For consumers buying and installing bathroom products, CE certification ensures a consistent level of health and safety protection. Peter Adkins is Director of Regulatory Services at Emms Gilmore Liberson and regularly advises suppliers to the Plumbing Trade and works closely with CIPHE. He says “Consumers need to realise that saving a few pounds by buying non-conforming products can be very expensive in the long term. The CE marking of bathroom products is an important legal requirement and consumers buying non-CE marked equipment do so at considerable peril. If this type of product fails it can cause major damage to the owner’s property and quite possibly severe personal injury.”

He continues “It is highly unlikely that a manufacturer who supplies non-conforming product will be properly insured against any claims which would arise, and a householder’s own insurance may well refuse to meet a claim in these circumstances. If a visitor is injured an owner may well face criminal sanctions as well as personal claims. A few pounds more spent with a reputable supplier will avoid all of these risks.”

Weeding out the rogue traders

While the legal responsibility lies with the manufacturers and installers, as consumers we can help to create a safer marketplace by refusing to buy from non-compliant sources. Reserve your custom for trustworthy manufacturers and merchants and help to drive the dodgy dealers out. And always use a reputable installer.

Damian Walters, of the British Institute of Installation for kitchen and bathroom products quotes “Unfortunately, the UK market is flooded with product that simply doesn’t meet the stringent safety & quality requirements of those with a CE mark. Whilst quality is important, safety is paramount when it comes to bathroom product, especially when you consider the potentially lethal mix of water and electricity.

With an ever price aware consumer prevalent, consumers are often attracted to installers who offer a ‘cheap’ service proposition – these tradesmen are often able to reduce costs by compromising on product – product that doesn’t meet the CE mark of assurance.

Our advice would always be to ensure a professional installer/installation service is adopted by the consumer to ensure peace of mind is achieved.”

What is the future of CE marking after Brexit?

The British Standards Institution (BSI) advises that “BSI maintains the UK membership of the three European standardization organizations: CEN, CENELEC and ETSI. Our membership of these organizations continues as normal; it is ‘business as usual’ in all aspects of our standards making and publishing activity. CEN and CENELEC are private organizations outside the EU. CEN and CENELEC coordinate the work of 34 countries in the making and the dissemination of European Standards (EN). Membership of CEN and CENELEC is linked to the adoption of European Standards and the withdrawal of conflicting national standards, facilitating market access across the member countries.

BSI have been working with UK government (e.g. the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Exiting the European Union and the Department for International Trade) and other parties as appropriate, in particular CEN, CENELEC and their members, regarding our role in the development of European standards. This work will continue during the negotiation period that now follows the triggering of Article 50.

It is BSI’s ambition, and also its confident expectation, on behalf of UK stakeholders, for the UK to continue to participate in the European standards system as a full member of CEN and CENELEC post-Brexit. Given the private status of these bodies, and thus their independence from the political authorities, BSI’s ambition is not affected by the Prime Minister’s announcement on 17 January 2017 that the Brexit process will include the UK leaving the Single Market.

What we do at AKW

Along with other leading bathroom manufacturers, AKW are members of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) for whom AKW’s Group CEO, Paul Massey is also currently the BMA’s President.

The BMA continually strive to raise standards in the industry as well as educate and communicate the importance of legislation and regulation in the industry. At AKW, before a new product reaches the marketplace, it is extensively put through its paces in our state of the art testing facility where mechanical and electrical tests are repeated carried out to ensure the highest of quality standards and reliability.

We display the CE mark on all the necessary products with pride, confident in the knowledge that our products not only comply with all minimum standards required by legislation but in fact exceed industry standards.

So… in short?

Look for the CE mark when buying your bathroom products and if there isn’t one clearly visible, ask why not. And if you can’t ask why not, don’t buy it. If you buy a non-CE marked product and suffer as a result, you will have no comeback. The impact is not something you can just wash down the plughole.

]]>AKW Working with the Local Community Chadsgrove Specialist Schoolhttps://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/blog/akw-working-local-community-chadsgrove-specialist-school/
Tue, 03 Oct 2017 09:33:14 +0000https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/?p=12558The school Situated in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Chadsgrove School is a school for children with complex physical and medical needs. It first opened in 1976 with just 20 students, and over the past 40 years has developed to become a respected facility that has maintained an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating since 2012. The school currently has over …

Situated in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Chadsgrove School is a school for children with complex physical and medical needs. It first opened in 1976 with just 20 students, and over the past 40 years has developed to become a respected facility that has maintained an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating since 2012. The school currently has over 130 students enrolled, aged from 2 to 19, and focuses on developing each pupil’s independence and celebrating their successes with a balance of academic, artistic and physical education.

The staff at Chadsgrove work tirelessly to ensure the school facilities are continuously improved on, and there are a number of innovative projects in the pipeline to enhance the students’ future experience.

Relationship with AKW

Chadsgrove School first worked alongside AKW during the 2012 Paralympic Games, when triple Bronze medalist Paralympian cyclist Jon-Allan Butterworth worked with us on number of initiatives in the local area to help highlight independent living for those with specialist needs. Campaigns have included a ‘design a mascot’ competition with children at Chadsgrove as well as officially opening a new cycling track to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle.

Having joined the RAF in 2002, Jon-Allan Butterworth served as a weapons technician in Afghanistan and Iraq. A rocket attack on Basra Air Station in Iraq in 2007 meant he was forced to undergo an above-elbow amputation on his left arm. He has been cycling professionally since 2009.

who went on to win 3 Bronze medals. During the past 5 years AKW have gone on to support Chadsgrove in a number of different ways across multiple projects, and developed a close relationship with the school. The Chadsgrove’s school choir, the Chadsgrove Buskers, have also visited our system company DLP on the Isle of Man during their annual holiday to the island.

Food technology kitchen

Chadsgrove’s new food technology kitchen is the project that has had the biggest impact on the young people studying at the school. Due to the age of the school buildings, the team had been gradually upgrading classrooms and communal areas over the last few years with the aim of fully modernising it all. Learning how to take care of themselves and cook healthy, nutritious meals is a key part of building independence so one of the main purposes of Chadsgrove’s new ‘life skills’ kitchen was to create a space that would give children the opportunity to learn cooking skills in a safe and easily accessible environment.

Installed by AKW in 2015, the new kitchen was fitted with easily accessible cupboards, drawers, and worktops, as well as ovens and hobs. It’s a modern, functional space that the students enjoy spending time in and learning new recipes. It’s not just fairy cakes that are being cooked either – the amenities in the kitchen have enabled Chadsgrove students to cook a number of ambitious meals and snacks. In fact, on the day the kitchen was formally opened, the students chose to christen the new space by whipping up some homemade pumpkin soup.

The reaction from the parents of students has also been amazing. They are thrilled that their children are learning skills that they can use at home, and it’s put to rest any worries they may have had about their child’s future and ability to live independently. More than just a kitchen, the food technology space is giving these students skills that they can develop on their own, and grow into active citizens in their community.

Liz Morgan, Chadsgrove School’s deputy head said, ‘The room has totally transformed the teaching of food technology at Chadsgrove School. We can now actively develop the children`s independent cooking skills through the use of the modified access to the ovens, sinks and hobs. The room also has brand new accessible equipment. The facility is allowing pupils to gain essential life skills. It is a fantastic design.’

Shower facilities

In order to promote its status as a specialist sports college, Chadsgrove has undertaken a number of projects over the last few years. One of these was the development of a new swimming pool, a project which required new bathroom facilities to meet the varying needs of the students in the school. As part of the bathroom renovations, AKW donated two of its award-winning iCare electric showers to help facilitate independence for those with special requirements.

The shower is RNIB accredited and includes large, clearly labelled tactile buttons to ensure easy operations. It also includes additional features to provide partially-sighted users with complete control over the shower settings. Thanks to AKW’s donation, Chadsgrove students are able to shower independently and safely, without always needing any staff to help them.

Why AKW?

According to Liz Morgan, Chadsgrove School’s deputy head, the decision to work with AKW for these projects was an easy one.

‘It’s not your typical supplier/client relationship. AKW are always incredibly helpful and supportive, and the team is always keen to help us in any way they can. Whether it’s calling them up for a chat, or getting together to ask for some business advice, the AKW team are always happy to listen to me. I feel we’ve built a very strong relationship over the years.’

As well as the close relationship between Chadsgrove and AKW, Liz would also recommend AKW based on their professional approach.

‘When we were going through the planning stages for the food technology kitchen, the process was incredibly efficient from start to finish. The designs were spot on, the prices were competitive, and again with such friendly and warm staff, I felt able to ring them any time for advice.’

Looking ahead

When it comes to future plans for Chadsgrove, Liz believes AKW will continue to play an important part in the school’s ongoing development. Chadsgrove have recently opened a new learning centre for youngsters between 19-25, with an initial intake of 6 students that is expected to increase to 11 in 2017. Liz hopes to develop a specialist college in the next few years that will develop children’s skills in English and maths, as well as enhance enterprise skills. There are already plans in place for a big campaigning push after Christmas, and the school have a number of large local businesses on board. It’s a lot of work, with lots of fundraising and campaigns to run, but it’s an exciting time for this one-of-a-kind school.

‘Our ultimate goal is to promote independence as much as possible, so that we can give purpose to every youngster’s individual life, regardless of what their disability is. We’ve built a great relationship with AKW over the last few years, and I hope it continues to go from strength to strength in the future.’